January 7, 2002. Copyright, 2002, Graphic News. All rights reserved

The worldÕs favourite boxer turns 60
By Mark Samms

LONDON, January 7, Graphic News:  ON a warm summer evening in Atlanta, Georgia, a little over five years ago, a middle-aged man, shaking uncontrollably and wearing a distant smile, ignited the Olympic flame.

It is an image that will live long in the memories of sports fans everywhere. Indeed, former president Bill Clinton called it Òthe greatest personal thrill I have ever had as an American citizen.Ó

Muhammad Ali, indisputably the finest heavyweight boxer the world has ever seen and now showing the distressing symptoms of the pummelling he sustained, especially towards the end of an extraordinary career, was back in the sporting spotlight for perhaps the last time.

The reception he received, not just from those in the stadium but from the billions tuning in around the world, hinted at what an official poll four years later was to confirm Ð he was the greatest sportsman of the 20th century.

It also reinforced the view that AliÕs roller-coaster relationship with the world in general and the American people in particular, is destined to end on a high Ð but it has been a hair-raising journey.

Since he won an Olympic title at the age of 18, Ali has been buffeted around in a life that has seen him attempt to reconcile instinctive boxing skills, a quicksilver brain, deeply-held principles and the exuberant tendencies of a natural-born showman.

America loved him when he became an Olympic champion; loathed him when he adopted the guise of an arrogant braggart; loved him when he defeated Sonny Liston; loathed him when he joined the Black Muslims and refused to be drafted; and loved him all over again when he fought back to become the first man to win the heavyweight title three times.

But nothing has done more to endear Ali to sports fans everywhere than the brave fight he is putting up against his toughest opponent Ð incurable illness. Here is an incomparable athlete reduced to shuffling and shuddering; an original wit and intellect now shackled within a brain bruised beyond repair.

Yet not once has he shown a hint of self-pity, nor has he attempted to hide away from the world. Indeed, he has taken every opportunity to appear in public and has often seemed to flaunt his condition as a warning to others who may also be tempted to have a few fights too many.

He once said: ÒIÕm in no pain. If I was in perfect health people, if I had won my last two fights, if I had no problem, people would be afraid of me now. Instead they feel sorry for me. They thought I was Superman. Now they can say: ÔHeÕs human like us. He has problems tooÕ.Ó

Many of these will undoubtedly feature in the new movie about Ali starring Will Smith, but as the great man approaches his 60th birthday he knows better than anyone that it will take more than a couple of hours of celluloid Ð no matter how inspired Ð to do justice to his tumultuous life.
/ENDS

Sources: www.top-biography.com; www.hickoksports.com; www.ibhof.com; www.imdb.com